UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story (UFN 53) took place on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
The main event was a 5-round welterweight battle between top prospect Gunnar Nelson and the always-tough Rick Story.
Check out our biggest winners and losers from UFN 53 below.
Winners:
Max Holloway: Max Holloway entered UFN 53 on a three-fight win streak all of which were finishes. Holloway was set to take on the Swedish born Akira Corassani in Sweden. In what was a very exciting fight, Holloway was able to pick up the TKO victory at 3:11 of Round 1. The 22-year-old Hawaiian became the youngest fighter ever to have 10 fights within the UFC. ‘Blessed’ possesses a 7-3 record within the UFC and all of his losses come to guys who are currently ranked in the top 10 of the UFC featherweight division. In what is certainly the best streak of his career, Holloway caps off his undefeated year with his fourth victory all of which were finishes. Holloway will certainly crack the top 15 in the featherweight division and should get a ranked opponent next.
Rick Story: Rick Story proved once again that he is no easy outing for anyone in the welterweight division no matter what the rankings say. The unranked Story took on the 12th ranked Gunnar Nelson in the main event of UFN 53. Story, who recently changed gyms and now trains at the MMA Lab with former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson, entered UFN 53 coming off an arm-triangle choke submission win over Leonardo Mafra back in July. Story, one of only two men to beat current UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks, was quite the underdog against the Icelandic native. In what was a back and forth five round battle, Story was able to use his boxing to put ‘Gunni’ in situations that he has never been in before. After five rounds, the underdog Story picked up the split-decision victory. Story has now won three out of his last four fights and is still a fixture in the UFC’s welterweight division.
Losers:
Tor Troéng: The 31-year-old Swede faced the Elblag, Poland born Krzysztof Jotko in his home country of Sweden. The TUF 17 contestant was in a must win situation as he possessed a 1-2 record in the UFC. ‘The Hammer’ had a less than desirable performance in front of his home country. Troéng was never really able to find success anywhere. Jotko successfully stuffed many takedowns from Troéng and was able to control the fight on the feet. Troéng lost a very one-sided fight by unanimous decision without picking up a single round. Not only did he lose in his home country, but Troéng also lost his third straight fight and his UFC future may very well be in doubt.
Illir Latifi: Illir Latifi took on the debuting Jan Błachowicz in front of his home crowd in Sweden. Since losing his UFC debut to Gegard Mousasi, Latifi has looked rather impressive finishing both of his opponents within the first round. Latifi entered his hometown arena to a plethora of screaming countrymen. Unfortunately, just like Tor Troéng, it would be an unsuccessful night in front of his home crowd. Latifi absorbed a nasty liver kick in the first round that would put an end to his night. ‘The Sledgehammer’ did his best to hide the pain, but Błachowicz realized he was hurt and pounced on him to get the TKO victory at 1:58 of the first round.
